Life of Imam Jawad (a.s)

His father was Imam Ali b. Musa al-Ridha (a.s) and his mother was a woman called Sabika.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was born in Medina on the 10th of Rajab 195/811. Believed to be Imam Ali b. Musa al-Ridha's (a.s) only child, he assumed the position of Imamate before reaching eight years of age, after his father Imam Ali b. Musa al-Ridha (a.s) was killed.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) Imamate was contemporary to the reign of the Abbasid rulers al-Ma’mun and al-Mu‘tasim. Al-Ma’mun, who met Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and was very impressed by his knowledge and wisdom at a very young age, insisted that Imam al-Jawad (a.s) marry his daughter Umm al-Fadl.

After the death of al-Ma’mun, his brother al-Mu‘tasim became the ruler of the Abbasid empire. He was very jealous of the young Imam al-Jawad (a.s) who was able to win the hearts and minds of all whom he met through his knowledge, manners and wisdom.

Al-Mu‘tasim summoned Imam al-Jawad (a.s) from Medina to Baghdad to constantly monitor him. Less than a year after Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) arrival in Baghdad, he passed away at the age of 25.

Muhammad b. Ali al-Jawad (a.s) is the ninth Shi‘a Imam.

His father was Imam Ali b. Musa al-Ridha (a.s) and his mother was a Nubian woman called Sabika.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was born in Madinah on the 10th of Rajab 195/811. Believed to be Ali al-Ridha’s only child, he had to bear great responsibilities from a very young age, especially when his father was forced to leave Madinah and travel to Khurasan at the request of the Abbasid ruler al-Ma’mun. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was no more than seven years old at the time his father left Madinah. It was at this point Imam al-Jawad (a.s) assumed his father's responsibilities.

Assession to the Imamate

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) assumed the position of Imamate before his eighth birthday after his father Imam Al-Ridha (a.s) was killed. Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) young age presented a significant problem to his father’s companions and followers, with many old and notable men unable to accept a boy of his age as their Imam. The issue of Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) age had been addressed by his father Imam Al-Ridha (a.s) though, on the occasions in which he stated that that he would be his successor.

Safwan b. Yahya says:

I told al-Ridha: "We used to ask you before Allah granted you Abu Ja‘far [about your successor] and you used to respond that Allah will grant you a son. Now that Allah has granted you a son - God forbid if something were to happen to you - who should we turn to?" Al-Ridha (a.s) pointed to Abu Ja‘far, so I said: "May I be your ransom - he is only three years old." Al-Ridha responded: "His age does not affect him as ‘Isa carried the proof of Prophethood at the age of three.”

Many of Imam Al-Ridha's (a.s) companions have narrated his statements in which he appoints his son Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as his successor. These include Mu‘ammar b. Khallad, ‘Abdullah b. Ja‘far and Muhammad b. Abi ‘Abbad.

Political Life

Muḥammad al-Jawad’s (a.s) Imamate coincided with the reign of the Abbasid rulers al-Ma’mun and al-Mu‘taṣim. Al-Ma’mun needed to continue his policy of showing kindness to the Shi'a and their leadership in order to ensure that the rebellions in support of the 'Alids did not re-emerge. In a calculated maneuver aimed at showing the ‘Alid’s he was different to other Abbasid rulers, as well as clearing his name for the assassination of Imam ‘Ali b. Musa al-Ridha (a.s), he married his daughter Umm al-Faḍl to al-Jawad (a.s) providing al-Ma’mun his own informant inside al-Jawad’s house.

After the death of al-Ma’mun, his brother al-Mu‘taṣim took over as the Caliph of the Abbasid Empire.

Some historians have suggested that al-Mu‘tasim was jealous of Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) success in winning the hearts of both scholars and lay people. Everyone who met Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was impressed by his personality, piety, and knowledge. Al-Mu‘tasim summoned Imam al-Jawad (a.s) from Madinah to Baghdad so that he could keep a close eye on him. He is reported to have entered Baghdad in Muharram 220/835, but less than a year later, Imam al-Jawad (a.s) had died at the age of 25.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) is the ninth Shi’a Imam. His father was Imam Ali b. Musa al-Ridha (a.s) and his mother was a Nubian woman called Sabika.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was born in Madinah on the 10th of Rajab 195/811 (he is believed to be Imam Al-Ridha's (a.s) only offspring). Overjoyed by the birth of his son, Imam Al-Ridha (a.s)knew that he would continue the legacy of his forefathers and the Prophet (s.a.w). He is narrated to have said on this occassion:

“I have been granted a son that resembles Musa Son of 'Imran who split the seas, and who resembles ‘Isa son of Maryam, as his mother is blessed.”

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) had to bear great responsibilities at a very young age, especially when his father, Imam Al-Ridha (a.s), was forced to leave Madinah and travel to Khurasan, at the request of the Abbasid ruler al-Ma’mun. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was no older than seven years at the time his father left Madinah. It was at this point that he stepped in to carry out the responsibilities his father bestowed upon him.

While Imam Al-Ridha (a.s) was in Khurasan, he used to regularly write to his son giving him instructions on how to carry out his responsibilities in Madinah. He used to address his seven-year-old son with the utmost respect to indicate his status and authority to his followers. As a result he used to address his son by his kunya Abu Ja’far. In one letter sent by Imam Al-Ridha (a.s) to his son, he wrote:

“Oh Abu Ja’far, it has reached me that when you ride out of the house, the servants of the house are taking you out of the small door, which is due to a miserliness in them that they do not want people to benefit from you, so I ask you for my sake, do not exit or enter from anywhere other than the main door, and when you ride, carry gold and silver with you and give to everyone who asks you. Further, if one of your uncles asks you for help, do not give him less than fifty dinars and anything above that is up to your discretion. And if one of your aunts asks you for help, do not give her less than twenty five dinars and anything above that is up to your discretion. I only want Allah to raise you in status, so spend and do not fear need.”

Accession to the Imamate

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) assumed the position of Imamate before reaching eight years of age. After his father was killed, the Imam's young age presented a problem to his father’s companions and followers with many older and notable men unable to accept a boy of his age as their Imam. The issue of Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) age had however been addressed by his father Imam al-Ridha (a.s) in which he stated that Imam al-Jawad (a.s) would be his successor.

Safwan b. Yahya said:

I told al-Ridha: "We used to ask you before Allah granted you Abu Ja‘far [about your successor] and you used to respond that Allah will grant you a son. Now that Allah has granted you a son - God forbid if something were to happen to you - who should we turn to?" Al-Ridha (a.s) pointed to Abu Ja‘far, so I said: "May I be your ransom - he is only three years old." Al-Ridha responded: "His age does not affect him as ‘Isa carried the proof of Prophethood at the age of three.”

Many of Imam al-Ridha's (a.s) companions have narrated his statements in which he appoints his son Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as his successor. The companions include; Mu‘ammar b. Khallad, ‘Abdullah b. Ja‘far and Muhammad b. Abi ‘Abbad.

After the death of Imam al-Ridha (a.s) and due to the confusion about his succession, eighty scholars were said to have travelled to Madinah from various areas to inquire about the next Imam. In Madinah they went to the house of Imam Ja‘far al-Ṣadiq (a.s), and there, they were greeted by Abdullah b. Musa, the son of Musa al-Kadhim (a.s). Historical sources suggest that Abdullah b. Musa attempted to claim the Imamate for himself at this gathering. One of the scholars stood up and said:

“This is the son of the Prophet, so ask him about whatever you wish.”

Asking the Imam various questions regarding religious sciences was common practice for Shi’a scholars to ascertain whether he was the most knowledgeable person alive. Abdullah b. Musa was asked a number of questions by the congregation of scholars, however he did not answer them in accordance with the teachings of previous Imams. The congregated scholars could but despair at Abdullah’s apparent lack of knowledge.

Suddenly, Imam al-Jawad (a.s) walked into the room and one of the scholars stood up and introduced him to the gathering as the successor to Imam al-Ridha (a.s) and the Imam of the age. The scholars decided to ask him the same questions that were posed to Abdullah b. Musa and found that his responses indicated a great wealth of knowledge. Further, one of the scholars told Imam al-Ridha (a.s) the responses of his uncle to which he said:

“Fear God oh uncle, and do not respond to questions while there is someone in the Ummah who is more knowledgeable than you.”

Although Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was of a very young age, the most esteemed Shi’a scholars recognised him as the rightful Imam. The following narration from Muhammad b. al-Hasan b. ‘Amara, provides an insight into al-Jawad’s (a.s) status, as he relates:

“I was with ‘Ali b. Ja‘far b. Muhammad [Imam Musa al-Kazim’s brother] in Madinah. I had been staying with him for two years, writing what he had heard from his brother. Suddenly, Abu Ja‘far Muhammad b. Ali al-Ridha entered the Mosque of the Prophet, upon which Ali b. Ja‘far rushed to greet him. Bare foot and without his usual garb, he kissed his hand and venerated him.”

Al-Jawad turned to Ali and said:

“Sit down oh uncle, God bless you.”

Ali b. Ja‘far responded:

“My master, how can I sit while you stand?”

After Ali b. Ja‘far had returned to where he was sitting, his companions began scolding him for treating al-Jawad (a.s) in such a manner saying:

“You are his father’s uncle, how can you treat him in such a manner?”

To which Ali b. Ja‘far responded:

“Be quiet, if Allah the most high did not qualify this grey beard – he gripped his beard – and qualified this young boy and placed him where he has placed him, can I then deny his merit? I seek refuge in Allah from what you speak of, surely I am a servant to him.”

Political Life

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) Imamate was contemporary to the reign of the Abbasid ruler’s al-Ma’mun and al-Mu‘tasim. Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) first meeting with al-Ma’mun is narrated to have taken place while al-Ma’mun was out hunting in Baghdad. His convoy passed a street in which a group of young boys were playing and as the convoy approached the boys, all except Imam al-Jawad (a.s) ran away. Upon witnessing this scene, al-Ma’mun asked the young Imam al-Jawad (a.s) why he had not joined his fellow youngsters in running away, to which he responded:

“The path is not narrow that I must make way for you, nor have I committed a crime that would make me fear you and I do not think that you would harm someone who is innocent.”

Al-Ma’mun, amazed at the young boy’s eloquence and courage, inquired about the boy’s name to which he responded: Muhammad, son of Ali al-Ridha (a.s). The story continues that al-Ma’mun kept a hunting falcon and that on one occasion the falcon caught a small fish. Al-Ma’mun impressed at the performance of his falcon kept the fish and on his return to Baghdad, once again encountered Imam al-Jawad (a.s), and asked:

“What do I have in my hand?”

Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) response was once again eloquent, courageous and indicated his outstanding knowledge; he said:

“Oh Amir al-Mu’minin [a title that become synonymous with the political office of the caliph], verily Allah, through the seas of ability, has created small fish to be caught by the falcons of kings and Caliphs for the descendants of the Prophet to be tested by them.”

Through this encounter, al-Ma’mun, who had made it his policy to be publicly kind to his Alid enemies, realised that this young boy had taken the place of his father whom he had eventually assassinated with poisoned grapes.

Al-Ma’mun needed to continue his policy of showing kindness to the Alid and their leadership in order to ensure that rebellions in support of the Alids did not re-emerge. However, he was not able to appoint Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as his crown prince as he had done with his father, especially given that calculated maneuver had cost al-Ma’mun his own family’s support and trust.

Al-Ma’mun had only been able to regain the support of his family after assassinating both Ali al-Ridha and al-Fadl b. Sahl, his confidant and minister. Al-Ma’mun decided instead to wed his daughter Umm al-Fadl to Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as a maneuver aimed at achieving a number of goals including; showing the Alid’s and their supporters that he was different to other Abbasid rulers, absolving himself of the assassination of Imam ‘Ali b. Musa al-Ridha (a.s), and implanting his daughter who would serve as a trusted informant into the house of Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) spent the remainder of al-Ma’mun’s reign teaching and spreading his knowledge without being involved in any direct political activities. However, when al-Ma’mun died, Imam al-Jawad (a.s) knew that he would soon follow and he is narrated to have said:

“Relief will come thirty months after al-Ma’mun.”

The new Caliph of the Abbasid Empire was al-Mu‘tasim, an illiterate and ignorant man, who used to despise knowledge and those who obtained it. As such, he had reserved a special hatred towards Imam al-Jawad (a.s), as he was not only famed for his knowledge and piety, but also as the leader of the Alids, who the general population loved and revered. Some historians have suggested that al-Mu‘tasim was jealous of Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) success in winning the hearts of both scholars and lay people, due to the fact that everyone who met Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was impressed by his personality, piety, and knowledge. Al-Mu‘tasim summoned Imam al-Jawad (a.s) from Madinah to Baghdad so that he could keep a close eye on him, and Imam al-Jawad (a.s) is reported to have entered Baghdad in Muharram 220/835.

Death

Historical sources disagree regarding the circumstances surrounding Imam al-Jawad's (a.s) death. While later sources state that he was poisoned at the order of al-Mu‘tasim, al-Shaykh al-Mufīd (d. 413/1022) who wrote one of the earliest biographical sources on the lives of the Imams states:

“It has been said that he was poisoned, however I have not been able to verify any narration in this regard to use it as proof.”

All historical sources agree that Imam al-Jawad (a.s) died at the young age of 25.

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